» In each issue of Ultimate Products there is one product that simply blows every other product away in terms of reader interest. This issue it is TI's battery management IC. It's clever, simple and widely applicable and that hit the mark with our readers. Other products in this category also drew wide acclaim, which reminds us that power management remains the key issue in the next generation of electronic systems.

(1)
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
Gas gauge IC accurate to within 1% over life of battery
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Billed as a breakthrough in "gas gauge" technology, Texas Instruments' bq20z8x, part of a two-piece chipset that includes the bq29312 front-end interface, calculates remaining capacity in lithium-based battery packs with up to 99 percent accuracy throughout the entire life of the battery. Using the company's new Impedance Track technology, the bq20z8x keeps precise watch on changes in battery impedance due to age, usage patterns and temperature to accurately predict the run-time of two, three- and four-cell battery packs. "
Readers say: » "I'm more likely to integrate the function into a microcontroller that can base its decision on predicted current requirements." » "As a consumer, I find this very appealing and interesting." » "Great technology, but I can't see a lot of applications which need this high accuracy. Plus loads vary so it doesn't translate directly into use time." » "I think this is exactly what a customer needs to know -- the battery life for a cell phone or a digital camera." » "I'm not sure just where this technology will be able to find a suitable home. Most industry standards normally involve already implemented rules and guidelines with respect to mission critical systems. In aviation for example, the Emergency Locator transmitter (ELT) must be replaced or recharged after one-half of the battery's useful life, or when the transmitter has been in use for more than one cumulative hour.Where lives are concerned, I would find it difficult to argue cutting safety any finer than that, due to a device telling me, I have battery juice left." » "Much needed" » "Seems like very good accuracy in non linear (not easy) conditions. Nice job." » "Very promising" » "Host of uses for this chip." » "This is THE breakthrough for all micro and sensitive electronic equipment. Good job." » "This would be a significant advance for all portable electronics. Knowing how much battery life is left can be the difference between getting a picture of something or not." » "Very nifty. I will keep it in mind and reccommend it." » "Need to bring cost down to under 1$" » "It would be very interesting if the technology could be scaled to larger battery plants and systems" » "A refinement of the art." » "Bit of overkill considering use." » "Will consider for next product development. "
USABILITY RANK: 1

(2)
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
DC/DC chip delivers 14 amps
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "The TPS54010 can deliver up to 14 amps continuous for advanced point-of-load (POL) designs. Working from a 2.2- to 4-volt input, the synchronous step-down PWM switcher is suited to 3.3-volt industrial and telecom systems that use high-performance digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and microprocessors. "
Readers say: » "The on-chip FET providing 14 amps countinuous along with other specifications are impressive" » "The product is described as a STEP DOWN convertor, yet it converts 2 Volt input to 3.3 V?" » "How do I get me some?" » "This regulator offers 80% efficiency at Io=14A when Vin/Vo ratio is small (2.5V to 1.5V). Offerings from Volterra Semiconductor from ast year offer >90% efficiency in worse conditions (higher Vin/Vo ratio) at better prices (and with much faster transient). Therefore this "latest" product from TI has zero significance." » "Medical electronics and robotics could make good use of this device." » "Too bad it won't accept up to +5v input." » "Is there a rad hard space grade version?" » "14 amps is impressive." » "14A from a TSSOP!" » "May work very well for space applications." » "Very compact overall but not very price competitive." » "Would like to start to see Pb free options for all these parts." » "We would be more likely to use this if it had 12V inputs." » "Excellent step up in performance. Due to my current product being fully qualified, will have to consider for next generation of product." » "Seems like I have seen this offered by other companies already." » "Cost too high."
USABILITY RANK: 2

(3)
MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS
7-output IC powers Intel X-Scale-based PDAs
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "MAX1586A/MAX1586B/MAX1587A are the smallest, most efficient power-management ICs optimized for devices using Intel's X-Scale microprocessors, including third-generation smart cell phones, PDAs, internet appliances, and other portable devices requiring substantial computing and multimedia capability at low power. "
Readers say: » "Maxim cannot supply parts in production volumes - they've proven this time and time again - they are only for hobbyists." » "Another fine product, in the long list of products produced by Maxim." » "Very nice." » "Battery power of smaller devices, such as cell phones and PDA's is a significant problem. Continued development of power management will allow further development of devices with greater processing power, graphics capability and communications ability." » "This would be even more valuable if it came in higher power as well" » "Opens up a whole new area for further development and expansion." » "Maxim's deliveries tend to be too long and one cannot hold a candle to any confirmed Maxim delivery unless the item is in stock at local franchised distributors." » "Seems expensive."
USABILITY RANK: 4

(4)
MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES
Ultracap backup bridges kilowatt power outages
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Powercache PC-48 backup power modules provide a plug-and-play, maintenance-free alternative to batteries for short-term "bridge" power for uninterruptible power supplies (UPSes) in high-reliability telecom, industrial and medical systems. These two new ultracapacitor-based, 48-volt rack modules, rated at 1.6- and 2.3 kW-minutes, are designed to comply with Network Equipment Building System (NEBS) standards. "
Readers say: » "A battery is not always reliable. The high capacitor back up system is much more affordable for power outage." » "These appear to be an excellent alternative the the high maintenance UPS units we are currently using." » "Interesting approach and alternative to battery plants." » "Good company...good product."
USABILITY RANK: 5

(5)
LINEAR TECHNOLOGY
VLDO runs from sub-1V input
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "The LT3020 is the industry's first very-low-dropout voltage regulator (VLDO) chip that can work from input voltages down to 0.9 volt. It's thus suited to single-cell alkaline and NiMH batteries and emerging applications that use a 1.5-volt rail and provide 0.9 to 1.25 volts at up to 100 mA for microcontroller and microprocessor cores. "
Readers say: » "It's all about making things smaller and lighter. Being able to remove battery cells from a design is significant." » "Too high quiescent current" » "A superior way of creating a regulated low voltage." » "Single-cell NiMH has good characteristics for reliability and simple charging, this kind of support chip is key; I have some projects in mind already" » "Looks like a viable part to evaluate the next time this type of regulator is needed"
USABILITY RANK: 3

(6)
CHEROKEE INTERNATIONAL
Quarter-brick delivers true 80 amps
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "The Apollo 5 quarter-brick family, providing 80 amps, is the company's answer to customers' requests for a DC/DC converter that operates without derating at practical operating conditions - 300 linear feet per minute (LFM) airflow at +50°C. "
Readers say: » "We are always trying to put more functionality in smaller spaces. This component will help make that possible."
USABILITY RANK: 6

(7)
PRIMARION
DC/DC chipset underscores digital power advantage
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Primarion's second generation suite of Digital Multiphase Power products is designed as a no-compromise DC/DC multiphase converter solution specifically for present and next generation computing applications. "
Readers say: » "The reason for Primarion's claim -- greater advantages overall in performance, system density, and system cost -- is an integration of power stage and control. From that point of view, the partial integration of Primarion's solution is inferior as compared to solutions with complete integration, offered by other vendors." » "Probably not competitive in terms of transient performance to best analog solutions." » "I see nothing new here." » "This seems interesting."
USABILITY RANK: 7

(8)
SYNQOR
Half-brick bus converter maintains ultra high efficiency
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "SynQor's BusQor HEA half-brick is a regulated converter that delivers up to 360 watts from a 35- to 75-volt input for 12-volt intermediate bus architectures. Its patented regulation stage topology delivers an efficiency of 95 percent at full load over most of that range."
Readers say: » "Sounds like a very well defined system, capable of meeting power and space management requirements, which always seem to be of concern in new design." » "Several guys do this already for less than $100."
USABILITY RANK: 8

(9)
POWERDSINE
6-port PoE midspan simplifies WLAN scaling
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "PowerDsine says its 3006 is the industry's first 6-port power-over-Ethernet midspan (patch-panel module for legacy Ethernet switches that do not offer PoE functionality)."
Readers say: » "Seems to be a viable product, but in a large scale environment, the trend seems to be a solution that provides both battery backup and network management." » "Convenient device for office WLANs. Not usable for industrial LANs that need 24 vDC power." » "I would like to see this product selling for less than $300. Then it will be attractive for small businesses." » "Simpler, cheaper, effiicient."
USABILITY RANK: 9

(10)
ON SEMICONDUCTOR
Chip set delivers AdvancedTCA solution
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Ten power management devices designed as a comprehensive, cost-effective solution to meet the emerging AdvancedTCA spec for telecom equipment. The collection of devices includes a hot-plug IC, three PWM/buck controllers, charge pump, OR-ing diode, discrete FET switch and three power MOSFETs. "
Readers say:
USABILITY RANK: 10